"It's unbelievable," Ryans told the Houston Chronicle, which reported the signing earlier in the day. "I'm so appreciative. I still can't believe it. It shows that hard work and patience can pay off."

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Ryans will receive $26.3 million in the first three years of the deal. He will make $14.5 million the first year -- a $7.5 million signing bonus and a $7 million base salary -- and the two-time Pro Bowl pick will receive a $200,000 bonus every time he makes another all-star game, the Chronicle reported.

Ryans was the 2006 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year and is the leader of a young Texans team that went 9-7 last season for its first winning record. He was a restricted free agent and hadn't signed his tender before striking the long-term deal.

"I think this is a huge move for the Texans to step up and get this deal done," Ben Dogra, Ryans' agent, told the Chronicle. "This sends a strong message about the Texans' commitment to winning and their intentions of having their core players in place. They deserve a lot of credit."

Ryans made the Pro Bowl last season, when he finished with 123 tackles and one sack. He has posted at least 112 tackles in each of his four NFL seasons, and he had a career-best 155 stops as a rookie in 2006.

Ryans' signing will keep together a Houston defense that also includes 2006 top overall draft pick Mario Williams and 2009 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Brian Cushing. Ryans' leadership was key in the development of fellow linebacker Cushing, who led the Texans with 133 tackles last season.

Though the team hadn't officially announced the deal, Texans linebacker Zac Diles and left tackle Duane Brown took to Twitter to congratulate Ryans on the contract.

Ryans, a second-round pick from Alabama in 2006, has started each game in his career with the Texans and has 7½ sacks, two interceptions and five forced fumbles.